Abstract: The invention relates to a strip having a longitudinal reinforcement; a packaging method comprising such a strip; an installation and a machine for implementing the packaging method and a device for the production of such a strip. This flexible strip (1), which is more specifically applicable to the construction of packaging, constituted more specifically by a plastic film, of the integrally produced type, wherein it possesses at least one longitudinal zone of reinforcement (2) constituted, at least in part, by N longitudinal zones of folding (3a, 3b, 3N) of the strip (1), adjacent to one another, overlapping one another at least substantially flatly, at least in part, in a single longitudinal region of the strip (1), N being a positive integer at least equal to two.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a flexible tubing (S) from a single-ply or multi-ply web (B) as it is continuously advanced includes two size-defining metal plates (9, 10) which define the width of the flattened tubing and are substantially parallel to each other and are movably mounted in the machine frame (1, 2, 3) and have receiving end portions about which the web is deflected to raise edge portions of the web which are to be infolded to overlap each other. The plates are adjustable by a screw (34) or the like to control the distance between their receiving end portions. The plates are provided at their delivery end portions with straps (17) or the like for controlling the distance between the plates.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming a pair of inwardly turned hems in the adjoining free edges of superposed layers of a longitudinally folded moving pliable material web, particularly superposed thermoplastic film panels for forming plastic bags having draw tapes in the hems. The moving web is passed over the cylindrical surface of a roller with the free edge of the inner layer of the web passing over a plurality of rollers disposed at one end of the first-named roller. The surfaces of the plurality of rollers extend substantially to the periphery of the roller. The free edge of the outer layer of the web is passed over a semicylindrical surface adjacent the plurality of rollers. The free edges of the layers of the web are guided to a hem folder at the downstream side of a hem forming block where they are folded inwardly adjacent the respective layers of the web to provide a pair of inwardly turned hems in the adjoining free edges of the opposing layers of the web.

Abstract: Thermoplastic film is fed from a roll and pleated by passing the film across a series of rigid guides. As the film is drawn down across the guides, the film is pleated and then gathered onto a wind up roll. A J-shaped roll rack is preferably pneumatically activated to bring a fresh roll of film into a position for feeding the pleating arrangement.

Abstract: A pair of facing die sections, preferably constructed of machinable plastic, are biased toward one another and their central regions are spaced to form a shallow gap. Each die section is provided with a tapered folding chamber whose wide end is open at the upstream end of the die section. Each chamber communicates with the gap by means of a shallow slot that extends longitudinally, or in the direction of travel of a tape that is drawn through the gap. The edges of the tape enter the folding chambers as the central main section of the tape enters the upstream end of the gap. While the tape edges are in the chamber they are curled and directed through the slots into the gap. By the time the edges leave the chambers these edges are folded to lie flat against opposite sides of the main section of tape. Means are provided for adjusting the die sections to operate on different widths of tape and to produce desired widths for the folded edges.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper folding apparatus and method for folding cut sheet paper products, whether single sheets or multiple plies as in a "signature" that is already folded by a printing press. The apparatus of the invention contains at least one pair of opposed belts which continuously grip the products and carry then through the apparatus. At least one set of freely rotatable rollers is arrayed along the direction of travel. Each belt has a flat paper-gripping surface, a longitudinal groove on the opposite surface that receives a guide roller, and at least one side surface that slopes away from the folding line. Each roller has a conical forming surface. The angle of inclination of the conical surfaces of the rollers in a set increases incrementally along the direction of travel.

Abstract: An improved former and method of forming superposed hems in superposed panels forming a continuous pliable and foldable web, especially thin plastifilm panels for forming plastic bags includes a first turning edge for turning at least an intermediate portion of the superposed panels from a first direction to a second direction, a second turning edge adjoining one side of the first turning edge for turning superposed free side edge portions of the web transverse to the intermediate portions and third and fourth turning edges spanning both the turned intermediate portions and turned side edge portions of the web for turning a separate one of the side edge portions against the turned intermediate portion thereby forming the hem.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper folding apparatus and method for folding cut sheet paper products, whether single sheets or multiple piles as in a "signature" that is already folded by a printing press. The apparatus of the invention contains at least one pair of opposed belts which continuously grip the products and carry them through the apparatus. At least one set of freely rotatable rollers is arrayed along the direction of travel. Each belt has a flat paper-gripping surface, a longitudinal groove on the opposite surface that receives a guide roller, and at least one side surface that slopes away from the folding line. Each roller has a conical forming surface. The angle of inclination of the conical surfaces of the rollers in a set increases incrementally along the direction of travel. As the belts carry the sheets through the apparatus, they each engage the conical surface to fold the sheet against a belt with no substantial degree of relative movement between the sheets and either the belts or rollers.

Abstract: An edge blending masking tape dispenser has an upright support plate and a base with a tear off edge above the base. A roll of adhesive coated masking tape is journaled and yieldably retained upon the support plate and passes over a tape edge folding and forming die which has a cam surface so as to constrict and upwardly deflect and form the leading one edge portion of the tape. The tape further passes over and around the tape support in tension with the upwardly deflected one edge of the tape folded down upon the adhesive side thereof. This provides a non-stick free floating edge along the tape to permit feathering and blending of new paint with an existing tape finish, when the masking tape is adhered thereto.

Abstract: A machine for continuously and automatically cutting, folding and packing sheet material into rolled up webs. The machine is provided with two variable speed drive devices which continuously pulls the sheet material into the machine where it can be cut and folded. The second variable speed drive device comprises a variable speed transmission that operates the folding devices which comprises pivotable plates, folding rollers and the cylinder. The pivotable plates directs the material between the roller and the cylinder by links and levers so that multiple folds may be made in the material. The links and levers are operationally connected to the variable transmission.

Abstract: A form-and-fill packaging machine has a separator-folder at the cross-over for separating the web edges and folding one edge to form a fin seal in the back of the packaging tube. The separator-former is of one-piece construction generally U-shaped in section with an anti-friction surface. It reduces the effects of the friction of touching web surfaces and maintains direct control of the folding edge.

Abstract: A travelling web made of packaging film is folded about collated sheets of material in response to a reversal in travel direction of the web about an arrangement of three guide edge segments. Two of the guide edge segments on either side of the intermediate guide edge segment form parts of two triangular folding guide members through which the web is folded into transversely overlapping portions overlying an intermediate portion reversed in travel direction by the intermediate guide segment.

Abstract: First and second parallel folding rollers (6 and 7) respectively co-operate with third and fourth folding rollers (4 and 5) of folder means to form first and second folding devices (4, 6 and 5, 7). Non-return feed rollers (8 and 9) are mounted between the first and second folding rollers (6 and 7) for folding pliable strip material (3) alternately to the two folding devices (4, 6 and 5, 7) and an intermediate part (14) of the folder means extends between the third and fourth folding rollers (4 and 5) so as to act as a guide for the pliable strip material (3). Movable guide means (12) are operable to deflect the leading end (24) of the pliable strip material (3) towards the first folding devices (4 and 6).

Abstract: A packing machine having a film former for converting a flat, unfolded web of thermoplastic film material into a relatively flat rectangular tube with one major surface of the flat tube having an inwardly turned edge and the other major surface of the flat tube overlapping the turned-in edge. In one embodiment, the former itself comprises a single piece of rigid sheet material which has a generally rectangular portion with an isosceles right triangle integrally formed thereon, the two legs of that triangle being aligned, respectively, with an end edge and an adjacent side edge of the rectangular piece. The sheet material is then folded over or otherwise formed such that the end edge and its extension, i.e., one leg of the isosceles triangle, are parallel to the adjacent side edge with the plane of the folded portion being generally parallel to the plane of the rectangular portion.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for forming corrugated filter sheet by folding a long strip of sheet material into corrugations extending longitudinally of the strip, press-bending the sheet along the longitudinal fold lines of the intended corrugations; and gradually drawing in the sheet from the sides towards the center, while pushing the sheet out from each side along the fold lines, so as to form the intended corrugations, reducing the width of the sheet according to the height and width of the corrugations.